Acceptable Calculators
What is and isn't allowed for the SAT® on test day
Every mathematics question on the SAT can be solved without a calculator. However, using a calculator may be helpful for some questions. Scientific or graphing calculators are recommended.
Calculator primer
- Students should bring a calculator with which they are familiar and comfortable. Their degree of familiarity with the operation of a calculator may affect how well they do on the test.
- Students should bring extra batteries and, if possible, a backup.
calculator—test center staff do not have batteries or extra calculators. - Students are not required to clear the memory on their calculators before testing.
- Students are not permitted to share their calculators. Students who use their calculators to share or exchange information during the test are dismissed and their scores are canceled.
- Students using a calculator with a large (characters one inch or more high) or raised display that might be visible to other test-takers are seated at the discretion of the test supervisor.
The following are not allowed:
- Calculators with QWERTY (typewriter-like) keypads
- Calculators that contain electronic dictionaries
- Calculators with paper tape or printers
- Calculators that "talk" or make noise
- Calculators that require an electrical outlet
- Cell-phone calculators
- Pocket organizers or personal digital assistants
- Handheld minicomputers, PowerBooks, or laptop computers
- Electronic writing pads or pen-input and stylus-driven devices (the Sharp 9600-EL can be used without the stylus)